King Hall Welcomes Students from Fudan University Law School

In 2019, UC Davis School of Law and Fudan University Law School, one of China’s top law schools, created a five-year partnership agreement. That year, vice-dean Chen Li led a faculty delegation to UC Davis. The two law schools decided to form a long-term partnership based on their mutual educational goals and values. Professor Wang Zhiqiang, dean of Fudan University Law School, was highly supportive of the project.

Fudan University Law School is located in Shanghai, the commercial and trade center of China.  With more than 100 years of history, Fudan University Law School was a natural partner for UC Davis School of Law.

Under the agreement, Juris Master (international track) students from Fudan join the UC Davis School of Law LL.M. program as part of their master’s program.  Students admitted into the program are the high-achieving students in their class. After admission, they enroll in the UC Davis LL.M program.

The program is a unique opportunity for the students to complete their LL.M. studies in the United States and their Juris Master’s degree in China. The first Fudan LL.M. students joined the UC Davis Law LL.M. program in the fall semester of 2020.  Despite COVID-19 and the restrictions on international travel, eight outstanding students from Fudan enrolled in the 2020/2021 academic year LL.M. program.  They attended classes online with the J.D. students and other international students and had access to the full range of classes taught by King Hall’s world-renowned faculty, from Contracts to Intellectual Property.  They were top academic performers in their classes.

With the reopening of the American consulates in China, in August 2021, three Fudan students came to Davis to join the 2021-2022 LL.M. on site at King Hall. They have been enthusiastic about their experience. Chan Luo describes Davis as “peaceful and friendly and a good place to study.”  She also “made many friends at the law school.”  Yiming Sun notes that: “UC Davis is very special, with wonderful professors and friendly students.  I’m learning not only about the law but also about American culture.” Spencer Wang looks forward to welcoming other students to the program: “I’m glad that I came to Davis, and I hope other Fudan students will join us next year.”

For additional information about the Fudan partnership, please contact Beth Greenwood, Associate Dean, International Programs, UC Davis School of Law, bgreenwood@ucdavis.edu, 530-219-1530.